Can I Go to Prison for Being the "Lookout" or the Driver?

 Posted on January 29, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A New Haven, CT man was recently sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a bank robbery that occurred two years ago. The 22-year-old will be under three years of supervised release after he serves his prison time after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting bank robbery. The young man used a walkie-talkie to communicate with the bank robbers as they stole almost $40,000 from the bank. One of the actual bank robbers pled guilty and received a 10-year sentence, while the other two cases are pending.

Many people believe that if they are only the driver in a robbery or burglary or the lookout who warns those actually committing a criminal offense that someone is coming, they will receive nothing more than a slap on the wrist if caught. This is not true. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense like "aiding and abetting" or being an accomplice to a crime, take the charges very seriously. You should speak to a Stamford, CT criminal defense attorney who can potentially reduce your role in the crime, which could reduce your charges as well.   

What Is the Difference Between an Accomplice, an Accessory, and a Conspirator?

Accomplices do not need to actually participate in the crime. They could help the person actually committing the crime (the principal) flee the scene of the crime, provide necessary tools for the principal to commit the crime, or help distract law enforcement. Accomplices are typically lookouts, drivers, or employees of the business who use their position to help others commit a crime against their employer. An accomplice can be tried and convicted even when the principal has not been caught.   

Accessories are a bit more removed from the principal - and the crime. While an accessory assists the principal in committing a crime, he or she may not actually be at the scene of the crime and is more likely to be involved in covering up the crime. Whether the accessory is deemed an accessory before the fact or an accessory after the fact can make a difference in the charges and penalties.

An accessory before the fact is more serious as he or she helps the principal plan or carry out the crime (like providing blueprints for a building that is going to be robbed). An accessory after the fact helps the principal after the crime (like providing a vehicle, food, or medical attention) has been committed and is more likely to be treated leniently.

Conspiracy is a much more complex crime that involves one person agreeing with at least one more person to commit a criminal offense. Conspiracy can be charged apart from the actual crime in that if two or more people agree together to commit a robbery, even if one of them takes no actual part in the robbery, he or she can still be charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

Each person charged with conspiracy will be considered equally responsible for the criminal offense and will be treated as a principal, with more serious charges and penalties. In some instances, the underlying crime may not have even taken place, yet those involved in agreeing to commit a crime can still be charged.

Penalties for Conspiracy, Accomplice, and Accessory

In the state of Connecticut, the penalty for conspiracy under C.G.S Section 53a-51 is the same grade and degree as the most serious offense, which is the object of the conspiracy. While there is no accessory or accomplice crime statute in Connecticut, an individual could be prosecuted on a federal level; if the principal is charged with a Class B felony, he or she could also be charged with a similar federal felony.  

Contact a Fairfield County, CT Criminal Defense Lawyer

Being charged as a conspirator, accessory, or accomplice can result in the same consequences as if you had committed the crime yourself. Because of this, it is important to speak to a Stamford, CT criminal defense attorney who can help minimize your role in the crime committed. When you choose Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner, our experienced criminal defense attorney can help you achieve the best possible outcome. Call 203-348-5846 to schedule your free consultation.